Oct 13, Colombo: A visiting high ranking official of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Sri Lankan government for uplifting the lives of the people, especially children in rural areas.

The Regional Director for the South Asia of the UNICEF, Ms. Karin Hulshof has said that the government's commitment to solve the issues faced by the children in the country is commendable.

Ms. Hulshof expressed her views when she, accompanied by Reza Hossaini, Representative of UNICEF Sri Lanka, called on the President Mahinda Rajapaksa Friday at the Temple Trees.

The UN official has appreciated the government programs carried out to eradicate malnutrition and to create a positive health standard in the country and has commended the President for his personal efforts taken to uplift the lives of the rural communities.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Nihal Jayathilake, and Secretary to the Ministry of Child Development and Women's Affairs Eric Elayappaarachchi, were also presented at the occasion.